Topsy-turvy house for Big Brother

Housemates will find their bath is in the living room, their fridge in the garden and an oven-free kitchen.

Big Brother has also locked away the kettle and toaster - and will only release them when it sees fit.

Producers promised "quirky surprises" when the new series starts on 30 May, but refused to say whether the house would be subject to the smoking ban.

"Details of the production are a closely-guarded secret before the programme goes to air," said executive producer Rebecca De Young.

She said the smoking ban was "an issue we take seriously and one that will be addressed during the course of the series".

Pickled chicken

The ban, which outlaws smoking in all indoor public places, comes into effect in England on 1 July, four weeks into the programme's run.

It took 8,000 man hours to build this year's Big Brother house at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.

Designers have thrown in some arty references - in a tribute to Damien Hirst's pickled shark, there is a rubber chicken split in half and suspended in clear boxes.

A Warhol-inspired target is also painted on the floor.

There have been hints that there is more to the structure than meets the eye - with secret rooms and a second house thought to be likely additions as the reality show progresses.

House designer Patrick Watson said: "This year we have gone for a cleaner, more adult look, using more textures and colours to brand each area."

Changes

Big Brother continues to be one of Channel 4's most important programmes, with 8.2m viewers tuning in to see musician Pete Bennett win last year's seventh series.

But the show has seen some changes since Celebrity Big Brother's racism row earlier this year, involving Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty and former Big Brother contestant Jade Goody.

Sponsor Carphone Warehouse pulled out, and has been replaced by cable company Virgin Media.

Comedian Russell Brand has left the spin-off show Big Brother's Big Mouth. His successor is yet to be announced.

And this year's final will not be shown live, because the 2006 contestants broke rules on swearing before the watershed.

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